For those with an interest in American folk art, in particular folk carvings, you may be surprised in a unique collection of wood carvings at the Kutztown Area Historical Society. Lewis DeTurk (1862-1933) was an important folk carver in Kutztown, Pa. His work has both realistic elements to the finely detailed chip carved techniques and also folky or primitive attributes. The work was never painted. Not a prolific carver, about 90 percent of his output is at the society, said historical society board member Brendan Strasser. It is believed a motive for his hobby was to entertain and spend time with his ailing wife during a prolonged illness. DeTurk spent roughly two years bedside creating bird sculptures and what his great grandson Dennis calls carpenter knots. The knots are jig-saw-like elaborate wooden puzzle balls that if taken apart are near impossible to ever reassemble. One of his later-in-life chickens, a finely executed chip carved hen on nest dated June 21, 1932 sold recently in Ephrata, Pa., at Horst Auction Center for $4,100. Two DeTurk small hens brought $1,170 each at Pook & Pooks sale on behalf of Dick and Rosemarie Machmer in 2008. Dick and Rosemarie Machmer used two DeTurk hen on nest (rooster on nest) carvings on the inside title page of the book Just For Nice published in 1991. A selection of his carvings is illustrated in the book. Another reference for DeTurks work is the 1974 Science Press book Americana Wood Carving & Needlework, the first half encompassing the DeTurk family carving collection and the second Roosevelt Greers samplers. In 1979, the Kutztown Area Historical Society purchased the 1892 Public School building from the school district for its headquarters. The first major donation took place the same year when Lewis and Elizabeths three grandsons, Chester, George, and Louis, donated the familys carving collection. Among them were a wooden coat rack with large bird on top and a lamp with over-the-top carving embellishments that needs to be seen in person to appreciate the full visual impact. Another item is a large driftwood type piece with birds and animals, ball-in-cage whimseys, hanging birds, and more. The historical society is open the first Sunday of every month from 1 to 4 p.m. and is located at 212 S. Whiteoak St. Lewis and Elizabeth DeTurk are buried in Fairview Cemetery in Kutztown.